Get the facts about tinnitus

2017-01-25

Signia hearing aids are tiny technological marvels. They not only amplify sounds and improve hearing, they also provide a range of solutions to alleviate the effects of tinnitus, letting you hear what’s important without stress.

But what exactly is tinnitus? We have collected a few facts and answered a few frequently asked questions.

While tinnitus is as varied as its causes, it can be grouped into tonal and non-tonal tinnitus. Tonal tinnitus is more common and describes the perception of a near-continuous sound or overlapping sounds with a well-defined frequency, such as whistling, ringing, or buzzing. Non-tonal forms of tinnitus include humming, clicking, crackling and rumbling.

Did you know?

Tinnitus is a common disorder with many possible causes.

More than one out of 10 people suffer from chronic tinnitus (continuous for six months or more).

More than nine out of 10 people with tinnitus are also affected by hearing impairment.

About two out of 10 people with tinnitus find the symptoms difficult to endure.

The prevalence of tinnitus correlates with the degree of hearing loss; however, people with all levels of hearing loss can experience tinnitus.

Frequently asked questions:

Do I have to worry about sudden hearing loss if I’m affected by tinnitus?

Tinnitus is not the cause of sudden hearing loss. Although tinnitus may occur after sudden hearing loss, it can never cause it.

Can tinnitus cause deafness?

Tinnitus often accompanies impaired hearing, but does not cause it. People who hear well otherwise can also suffer from tinnitus.

Do I have to assume that my tinnitus will get worse over time?

That depends on how you manage tinnitus. Although it has a physical (e.g. neurophysiological) cause, the extent to which you suffer from it greatly depends on how your brain deals with the experience. A person’s perception often depends on his or her frame of mind.

Visit the Tinnitus page of our website for more information on how Signia hearing aids can help to treat the effects of tinnitus and look out for some tips for living with tinnitus, coming soon on our blog.